If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your favorite hobby or passion project into a full-time job, you’re not alone. 

That’s what drove Brian Lim, the CEO and Founder of The Emazing Group, to start three massively successful ecommerce brands -- Emazing Lights, iHeartRaves and INTO THE AM. The brands collectively gross over $20M per year and Brian was on season 6 of ABC’s Shark Tank, where he received offers from all five sharks.

But Brian didn’t just have a good idea for a business out of nowhere -- he was a huge fan of the rave scene and he was able to transition for a hobby to a powerhouse business in just a few years. 

Consumers can be fickle. But if you build a powerful, loyal community of buyers, it can sustain your brand for years to come. That’s exactly what Griffin Thall has done. He’s the Co-Founder and CEO of Pura Vida Bracelets, which offers colorful, handmade layered bracelets and other jewelry. Griffin and his co-founder bootstrapped the business eight years ago and it’s grown rapidly to more than 650 people spanning four countries. Pura Vida’s success lies in the massive fanbase they’ve built, with 1.4 million followers on Instagram and dedicated audience who show up by the hundreds in-person to their Insta-meetups. Pura Vida is the rare brand that is able to translate an online following into a vibrant, real-world community.